Soil Forensics

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The James Hutton Institute is a leading centre of forensic research, analysis and delivery, with unparalleled experience and expertise in the analysis of soils, waters, foods and other ecological/environmental materials.

The team also provides outdoor crime scene sampling and advice to police forces, military, government, defence solicitors, private organisations and all those involved in the Criminal Justice System.

Forensic analysis can be used as part of intelligence led investigations and provide advice into environmental civil and criminal case work and also as trace evidence provision.

Various methods of analysis are chosen to answer specific forensic questions.

Mainly adopting a strategy combining organic and inorganic characterisation, James Hutton Limited can examine trace evidence, compare samples and provide discrimination of sample characteristics. We can also characterise an environment for its subsequent interpretation, evaluation and opinion based reports, produced in a bespoke manner set against contextual background database values.

• Compare fragments found on clothing with identification of compounds and linking with potential sources of contaminant XRD Analysis
• Identify contaminants in a consignment and determine point of origin

XRF Analysis

• Provenance of whisky, composition of gold ancient artefact

Organic Analysis

GC and GC- MS

• Sewage sludge concentrations and comparison of source
• Comparison of soil from a vehicle from a crime scene and assessing signature markers
• Isotope analysis to link to source
• Samples of soil found on carpets at entry/exit points of aggravated burglary
• Faeces – the source animal can be identified using molecular approaches

Organisms

• Comparison of soil from a grave site with soil from a spade
• Characterisation of a diatom community to represent type of habitat

Professor Dawson has over 30 years’ experience in managing and conducting research in soil and plant interactions.

She is also a trained expert in both civil and criminal law, a trained Expert Witness, a member of the National Crime Agency and regularly presents evidence in court. She has supervised over 20 PhD projects and has published over 100 refereed journal papers, books and book chapters, and regularly presents at national and international conferences.

Professor Dawson was awarded a Special Recognition award at the Pride of Britain 2017 awards ceremony.

Comparison of soil from clothing can identify point of contact with crime scene.Identification of vegetation fragments can identify plant species and origin.

Other Services

James Hutton Limited is one of seven European partners of the Water Test Network; an ERDF funded project which supports SMEs in North-West Europe (NWE) to test, demonstrate and develop new products for the water sector.

The James Hutton Institute, and its predecessor organisations, is synonymous with soils with over 90 years experience of working with soils and farmers, as well as being responsible for the National Soils Database for Scotland.

James Hutton Limited is home to Mylnefield Lipid Analysis, a specialist lipid laboratory established at the James Hutton Institute in 1995 by Bill Christie and Frank Gunstone, renowned lipid analysis experts.

X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD) can be used to identify crystalline substances, such as most minerals. The James Hutton Institute XRPD team are global specialists in the analysis of clay minerals by this technique.

Breeders and scientists at James Hutton Limited and the James Hutton Institute use advanced breeding techniques supported by world-leading scientific expertise, ensuring the most innovative soft fruit and potato varieties.